Theory.

We often use should to talk about obligation, duty and similar ideas. It is less strong than must

• People should drive more carefully.

• You shouldn’t say things like that to Granny.

Note that we can use should to say that something is probable (because it is logical or normal).

• He should get here soon – he left home at 6.

Should can be used with a perfect infinitive to talk about past events that did not happen, or which may or may not have happened.

• He should have phoned her this morning, but he forgot.

• Ten o’clock: she should have arrived in the office by now.

Should not have…. refers to unwanted things that happened, or to negative probabilities.

• You shouldn’t have said it –it really upset him.

Note that should and ought are very similar, and can often replace each other. They are both used to talk about obligation and duty, to give advice, and to say what we think it is right for people to do or to have done. Should is much more frequent than ought. Ought is always followed by the to-infinitive.

• You should/ought to see this film, it’s great.

• You shouldn’t/oughtn’t to have called him a fool, he is upset now.

Note that must has similar meanings to should and ought, but is stronger or more definite. It expresses great confidence that something will happen or that something is true. Compare:

• The doctor said I must give up smoking (an order that is likely to be obeyed).

• You really ought to give up smoking (a piece of advice which may or may not be followed).

Should and ought can be used with perfect infinitives to talk about unfulfilled obligation in the past. Must is not used like this.

• You should/ought to have been nicer to Alice.

Have as a modal verb is used to show obligation (possibly from outside, under the existing circumstances), don’t have to means you don’t need to do something.

• I don’t have to work on Sunday.

• I had to wear a school uniform when I was a child.

Note the difference between mustn’t and don’t have to!

Mustn’t = it’s not allowed, or it’s a bad idea.

• You mustn’t tell anyone about it. It’s a secret.

Passengers (should – no) must/have to wear seatbelts. The policeman says you must wear a seatbelt. If your dad drives you to school, you have to wear a seatbelt in the car.

MUST – жёсткое правило, авторитарно, повелительно, безапелляционно. Лучше использовать can’t чтобы звучать более мягко или в целом заменить структуру предложения (

MUST (OBLIGATION) IN THE PAST = I HAD

MUST – is more strict, carries a bit more force and emphasis and this could definitely be used in official announcements. HAVE TO – more polite rather that MUST. More common.

Grammar Input

1. Give some advice on the problems. Use should/ought to or should/ought to have…

• Molly can't read this article in the original. You should have given her a translated one.

• I won’t be through with my report on Monday. I ought to have started it earlier.

• Greg’s hurt his elbow. He should have played tennis more carefully.

• I’m not ready for the lesson. I haven’t done my homework. I ought to come well-prepared.

• Sally can't see very well. She should have taken her glasses.

• My life is too boring. I should change something to be happier.

• I have a splitting headache. I ought not to have drunk that much yesterday in the pub.

• She’s been eating only one meal a day lately. She should have more walks and breathe fresh air so that her appetite will recover soon.

• This is my fifth cup of coffee. I ought not to drink that much, but it’s the only thing that makes me happy – delicious Chinese tea.

• She is very light-minded. She ought to be more restrained and serious.

• I caught a cold yesterday. I ought not to have visit Max, he is ill.

• The baby is too fat! His parents should control what and how much he eats.

• I can’t make a salad, I have no cucumbers and I didn’t ask Mike to buy some. I should have sent him a message with a list of necessary products, so that I could have dinner.

• She is so careless. She should think of other people’s thoughts and feelings more.

• I'm always tired. I should rest more and, preferably, start eating healthy food.

• I've got an exam tomorrow. I should sleep and eat well, and, of course, I shouldn’t study everything in the morning before the exam.

2. Insert either should or shouldn’t. Add a few sentences of your own, explaining why something should/shouldn’t be done.

Model: The child ________ be in bed, as it is very late.

The child should be in bed, as it is very late. Children shouldn’t sit up late. It can tell on their health.

• Mothers shouldn’t shout at their children. This type of behaviour leads to unexpected changes in child’s mentality, which can possibly result in uncontrolled and aggressive actions. Moreover, trying to calm their children by shouting at them, mothers usually don’t understand that their offspring may start hating them and behave even worse.

• Everyone should be careful while driving. There’s nothing more precious than your own life, the opportunities you have, and you can not only take this away from yourself, but actually take away all of that from an innocent parson, if there is an accident.

• Governments should lead an effective social policy to protect the most vulnerable people.

• Families should be together at Christmas. It’s a holiday that gathers all family members around, for some reason it’s even saint to me, to meet the beginning of another year with people you are close to.

• The woman in her condition shouldn’t drink, as it’s dangerous for her health. She has depression and takes some pills as a therapy, so drinking could affect her health in an unpredictable way, she may even die.

• United Nations efforts should not compromise the independence of the individual countries. It’s a matter of choice whether to be or not to be an independent country with its own culture, laws and government.

• Tom shouldn’t have said it to Sally. She tried to comfort him as his closest friend, and he, in his turn, started shouting at her and swearing loudly. I thought his was a gentleman.

• Mike should have praised Mary to give her positive emotions. She was working like a dog to win this contest and he even didn’t show up to support her.